'Education, Inc.' a hot ticket
Thousands of NYSUT members, parents, students, public education advocates and public officials continue to pack auditoriums and theaters statewide to see "Education, Inc.," the documentary film that zooms in on the corporate profiteers who are trying to privatize public education. The screenings are hosted by NYSUT locals.
The film, created by Colorado parent Brian Malone, investigates how public education is being harmed by deep-pocketed interests and gives voice to the people who are fighting back.
The next screening is Jan. 21 in Lowville. For more information, and to find other future screenings, visit https://mac.nysut.org/.
Labor radio joins NPR network
In what is seen as a step forward for labor media, Workers Independent News (WIN) will be available to more than 400 National Public Radio affiliates across the country beginning in January.
WIN, which has more than a million listeners, will produce 15 minutes of content each day that focus on news topics, interviews with labor leaders, an economic news feature and underwriter recognition.
WIN will need to increase its capacity and hire more reporters. Tax-deductible contributions may be made through http://laborradio.org/.
Ravitch receives BTF award
The Buffalo Teachers Federation presented the union's prestigious Friend of Education award to scholar and public education advocate Diane Ravitch.
BTF president Phil Rumore called Ravitch "a leader who has the never ending courage and intelligence to battle against those who have destroyed our students' love of learning."
Past recipients of the BTF's Friend of Education award include Hillary Rodham Clinton, former Gov. Mario Cuomo and Jesse Jackson.
UUP plan will improve conditions for adjuncts
A new report by the United University Professions, the NYSUT affiliate representing academic and professional faculty of the State University of New York, lists 10 action items to improve working conditions for contingent faculty at UAlbany. The union said it hopes the recommendations, compiled by the UUP Albany Chapter, becomes a model for all SUNY campuses.
Proposals include raising the minimum per-course fee for part-time contingents from $2,800 to $5,700. The report also proposes a five-year plan to decrease UAlbany's reliance on contingent faculty by increasing tenure-line faculty to 70 percent of the university's academic workforce. To read the full report, go to www.uupinfo.org.
Deadline nears for student scholarships
United University Professions is offering scholarships to eligible students who have demonstrated their dedication to the goals and ideals of the labor movement. The awards are funded by contributions from UUP members and their families.
The UUP College Scholarship Fund annually awards a maximum of four scholarships. Applicants must be full-time undergraduates enrolled at a SUNY state-operated campus and have a minimum grade-point average of 3.75.
Full-time graduate or professional SUNY students are eligible to apply for the union's William Scheuerman Post Baccalaureate Scholarship, named in honor of a former UUP president. Applicants must have completed at least nine credits, and hold a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.95. Law and health science students must have completed at least one full semester.
For more information, visit www.uupinfo.org/scholarships/scholarship.php. The application deadline is March 1, 2016.